Maldives’ former President Nasheed seeks Indian military intervention in crisis-ridden country

Exiled former President of the Maldives Mohamed Nasheed has sought Indian military intervention to release jailed dissidents in the capital.

In a tweet on Tuesday morning: Mr. Nasheed said: “On behalf of Maldivian people we humbly request: ?

India to send envoy, backed by its military, to release judges & pol. detainees inc. Prez. Gayoom. We request a physical presence. 2. The US to stop all financial transactions of Maldives regime leaders going through US banks.”

His tweet comes a day after President Abdulla Yameen declared a state of emergency in the Maldives, after defying a recent Supreme Court ruling that ordered the release of nine opposition leaders,? including Mr. Nasheed, and the reinstatement of 12 expelled MPs.

The Opposition alliance on Monday signed a resolution urging international actors to pressure the Yameen administration to comply with the order. ​

In a press release, The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that India was disturbed by the declaration of a State of Emergency in the Maldives following the refusal of the Maldivian government to abide by the unanimous ruling of the full bench of the Supreme Court on 1 February. The Constitutional rights of the people of the Maldives have also been suspended.

The MEA said that the arrest of the Supreme Court Chief Justice and political figures are reasons for concern, and that the government is carefully monitoring the situation.